Vigan is a city located on the northwestern coast of Luzon in the Philippines. It is the capital of the Ilocos Sur province and the only UNESCO World Heritage City in the country. Recently, it won as one of the New Seven Wonders Cities of the World.

The main draw of Vigan City are its well-preserved Bahay na Bato structures located at the Meztizo District, its historical core. Currently, there are 187 listed ancestral houses in town. Besides this, it also boasts of beautiful colonial churches, a plaza that comes alive with a fountain show at night, a free-roaming zoo and numerous historical museums.

The city’s cuisine is also quite interesting and numerous restaurants around the area makes it readily accessible to visitors.

There is no denying the popularity of Vigan City for the typical tourist and even veteran travelers. And for those planning to visit it anytime soon, here’s an intensive travel guide, complete with a 2-day and 3-day sample itinerary for a DIY tour of the Vigan City.

HOW TO GET TO VIGAN CITY

Vigan City is located 408 kilometers away from Manila. Although there is an airstrip in the city, it is mainly used as a runway for chartered flights. Commercial flights are available via Skyjet, but these are few and far between. From Manila, the usual way to get to Vigan City is by taking a bus. The trip takes about eight to ten hours long. Most tourists, including myself, take the night trip to sleep off the long ride and arrive at the city early the next morning.

VIA METRO MANILA Bus lines going directly and passing by Vigan City from Metro Manila are found in Cubao, Pasay City and Manila. Aircon trips are available everyday and travel time is at about eight to ten hours. As of this writing, ticket fares are pegged at Php600.00, give or take.

VIA BAGUIO There are aircon and ordinary buses that regularly ply the Baguio-Vigan route. Travel time is about three to five hours, depending on your departure time. Fare is pegged around Php360.00 as of this writing.

Fariñas via Laoag Partas (074) 444-8431 | Direct Viron Transit

SPEAK VIGAN Being located in the province of Ilocos Sur, Ilocano is the native dialiect of Bigueños. Although tourists from other parts of the country, or the globe for that matter, won’t be having a hard time communicating with the locals as most of them are also fluent in Tagalog and English.

Tricyles and karitela (horse-drawn carriages) are the main mode of transportation in Vigan City. Getting around is easy enough since one can practically hail these two at any area within the city center. Minimum fare for both is at Php10.00 per person, rising up to Php20.00 or more as one gets farther out. To avoid being charged more than the usual, be sure to board legit tricycle operators as indicated by a large Vigan plate up its roof.

VIGAN TOURS

Tours around Vigan City can either be availed via tricycles or karitela. While I prefer the latter for a more complete old-world experience, the former can be convenient especially if you’re pressed for time. Tour fees are computed at Php150.00 per hour, per vehicle. A karitela can comfortably seat four individuals, so the more you are within the coach, the cheaper it is.

Alternatively, hotels and lodgings, especially high-end ones, also offer tours via air-conditioned vans and even tuktuk. There are also a few places where one can rent bicycles, if you prefer a more hands-on experience (Php150.00/day).

WHERE TO STAY IN VIGAN CITY There are numerous places to stay while in Vigan City. There are backpacker inns, moderately-priced lodges and luxurious hotels to choose from. The most interesting accommodations are renovated ancestral houses converted as lodgings. It’s also preferable to find a place near the Meztizo District where Calle Crisologo is located since most of the tourist spots and restaurants are only a hop away from there.

WHERE TO EAT IN VIGAN CITY Whether you’re looking for authentic Ilocano cuisine, traditional Filipino meals or the comfort of western dishes, Vigan City has it all. Restaurants, cafés and even fast-food chains abound in the city. Be sure to also check out the street food carinderia scenes in the area for a legit taste of Bigueño eats. A list of must-eat in Vigan includes empanada, okoy, longanisa, bagnet and poqui-poqui.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN VIGAN CITY Vigan City thrives because of its history, so expect a lot of historical walks and museums in the area. From old colonial churches, cobblestone street, to restored ancestral houses; history buffs would have a field day roaming around town. But besides these, the city also offers other attractions; it has a black sand beach, a free- roaming zoo, pottery shops and abel textile workstations.

WHAT TO BUY IN VIGAN CITY There are only a few other places in the country as abundant in souvenirs as Vigan City. The amount of keepsakes one can buy while in the city is staggering. The town’s shopping center is located at its most famous street, Calle Crisologo. Be sure to bring enough cash (and extra bags) if you plan to bring some stuff home.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP If you have more time on hand and you still have some days left before going back home, Vigan City is a good jump-off point to extend your vacation up the northern parts of the Philippines. Here are some of the places you can easily go to.

Vigan City can be toured in one whole day. During my first visit, since I didn’t know where the tourist attractions were, I hired a kalesa to tour me around the city. Since it charges by the hour, I just let it show me where the interesting locations are in the city without me going down to save on tour expenses. The only place I went down was at the Hidden Garden, which is located at the fringes of town and would be impractical to walk to. After the tour, I simply walked to all the tourist spots on my own. The good thing about this is that I was able to savor each location without always thinking about how much my cucero or driver would be charging me right after. The downside is you would be walking a lot. Alternatively, one can simply ride a tricycle or kalesa to go from one spot to another for a minimum fare of Php10.00. The far areas, like Mindoro Beach, Baluarte and the tourist spots in Caoayan are of course much more expensive to go to, haggle with your driver before boarding. Below, I listed a typical 2-day and 3-day Vigan itinerary. One can actually go back to Manila in the morning of the second day if one so wishes, but to cover everything, I suggest you go back in the evenings instead. The third day I outlined mostly takes on sites outside Vigan City, but still near enough to access on the way back to Manila.

Budget for a Vigan trip would be different from group to group, depending on where do you plan to stay, how many meals would you eat in a day and where would you want to eat. It all depends on how lavish or how thrifty you are with your money.

Beautiful place in the Philippines : Vigan is a 5th class city in the province of Ilocos Cur, Philippines and the capital province of http://dailycome.com/philippines-visiting-in-the-city-of-vigan-ilocos-sur/

Hi ! We are tertiary students (a lady and gentleman), have searched from websites to learn that there will be a week-long celebration of “art-festival” in May in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, two of us tourists from Hong Kong attempt to travel Vigan City to join such an amazing experience for a Four to Five-days (4 ~ 5) trip, the details of the trip are followings :–

What is the shorter or faster ways (transportation) to get Vigan City such as direct flight to Laoag City, Baguio–Loakan Airport, or Tuguegarao Airport, to shorten the long–distant transportation, 1–hour bus travelling from Laoag City to Vigan City instead of 6–hour bus travelling from Manila to Vigan City ?

How many flight within (to and from) Manila and Laoag City ?

Another problems is public security or social problem in Philippines. As you know since the Manila hostage crisis that seven Hong Kong tourists were killed in 2010. My brother told me he went to a countryside in Kalusunan a couple of years ago and felt unsafety there. As you know since the Manila hostage crisis that seven Hong Kong tourists were killed in 2010. We worry about the public security problems. But I read many websites described Vigan city, those tourists after travelling the city told they felt comfortable and enjoyed so much. Is there safety or any social security problems there, could any of you give us any travelling tips, to avoid any tricks, or help for tourist if any problems ?

Does it provided any RELIABLE Local Guide or Local Tours travelling Vigan City ? If any, how much does the product cost ? In what currency ?Thank you very much for your above advices

Christian Sangoyo,Firstly, thank you very much for your reply here indeed. Your in depth and amazing introduction with the available links for the travaling spots of Vigan City become my major reference of tour guide. WELL DONE !! However, could you give me one more your advice that, both of us tourists, put forwards our trips, that we are going to a 5D4N trips Vigan and Laoag (and Pagudpud if time allows) the forthcoming Easter 25-29/03/2016. As we have learnt of the rich religious and cultural influences in Vigan and Laoag, we would like to experience such a holy Easter there, but we wonder if all shops and services such as caterings and souvenir shops will be closed due to the regular holiday between the coming Easter, would you offer us any more opinions please ? Thank you very much for your advice. Looking forwards to hearing from you soon. May god bless you !! Cheers !! Vivienne.

Hi Vivienne, I haven't celebrated Easter at Vigan yet, but if I were to guess, the shops and restaurants would be open, with only a few closing down. The reason, a lot of Filipinos generally travel during the Easter break.

We wonder if all shops and services such as caterings and souvenir shops will be CLOSED A BIT EARLIER OR EVEN CLOSED due to the regular holiday between the coming Easter, would you offer us any more opinions please ? Thank you !!Vivienne

Hello! Im travelling to Vigan this coming month, and planning to do a side trip to Baguio. And acc. to what I have read, PARTAS bus trans. offers VIGAN-BAGUIO TRIP. May I know what are the departure time and rates of PARTAS. Thank you in advance, and your blog is super helpful!

Me and my friends are planning to visit Vigan by our own car. Do you think is it advisable na magdala ng car or better commute na lang? And aside from that, Can you tell me kung anong hotel ang maayos and affordable to stay in which is malapit lang sa tourist atttaction. By the way, we're travelling with kids.

Hi Raymon, Vigan by car is good since you can stop on a few other spots on your way to Vigan. The only downside is it can be quite tiring due to the long drive. For accommodation, Grandpa's Inn is quite close to Calle Crisologo and is not that expensive. :)

Hi Gabriel, buses bound for Vigan pass thru Dau bus terminal, you can board from there straight to Vigan. The only thing is, you have to take a chance regarding the seats since buses might leave full from Manila :)

Hi Christian. I'll be traveling to Vigan for 3days on September alone. I'll be using your blog as my travel guide. As much as possible, Id be visiting all what u have shared in here. But can you suggest a hotel for me? I just need a clean and cheap hotel/inn where I can sleep at night, place my bag and shower. I;ll be out all day til night exploring Vigan.

Hi Christian, good job for this one. Just want to comment on the translation of Good evening. I guess it is more appropriate to use "Naimbag a rabii". And this is the most commonly used. :-) An ilokano reader here. :-)

Hi Kallen, I usually stay at Grandpa's Inn since I'm on a budget. But if you have cash to spare, there are much more luxurious hotels in Vigan. You may check this link: https://www.agoda.com/city/vigan-ph.html?cid=1649989

Hi Kaycee, Grandpa's Inn is near the bus stations in Vigan. If you have a big luggage, you can ride a tricycle for a minimal fee. Vigan is quite small, you'll be there in no time. Regarding early check in, better call them if they would allow it. When I stayed there before, they let me check in early. If it's not possible, just leave your bag at the lobby and tour Vigan first until check in time :)

Hi Ricky, there is only cons in traveling to Vigan during the holy week. Everything is going to be full and there would be a huge crowd around Calle Crisologo. Better if you reschedule your trip on date that's not a holiday

hi can i ask if how often ang bus trips from vigan going to cubao, especially this holy week.cant hold any online bus booking, so chances are we are going to buy ticket when we are at vigan na.pls advise on this

Sir your blog is very helpful. I'm planning to visit vigan and I'm a solo traveller. I was just wondering meron bang cheap lodges/accomodation around 300-500 per night (just like in baguio.) na nagoffer near sa bus terminal na babaan or sa calle crisologo? I'm worried where to stay when I get there. Short budget lang 6k for 2 days

Hi Jan, that seems like a problem since there are really no malls in Vigan where you can leave your bags. What you can do instead, is rent a karitela to tour around Vigan, that way you can just leave your things at the carriage while you explore the town's tourist spots.

Hello sir! Thank you so much for this. Really helpful for our upcaoming trip. Ask ko lang po. Since we are traveling from Manila-Baguio and Vigan. We want to go to Bangui Windmills. Ikang hours po ba? And do you have IT for that too? Your reaponse is very much appreciated, Sir! God Bless

Hello? I just saw your blog when i was looking for direction on how to go to Ilocos. I tried visiting travel fb pages but they dont have sched for the date im free so i think ill just go there alone. Good thing i found your blog to help me out. Im scared though coz ill by myself and im a woman. This will be my first time traveling as far as Ilocos. I hope its safe. I dont know if you can or you are allowed to do so but, can you please message me in fb messenger? Never mind. I'll do the things you have in this blog so im not like a lost stray tourist haha! Thanks for your blog. Great help

yes, you can visit a lot of places in Vigan from 12pm to 9pm. I suggest you visit the museums first, since they close by 5pm or so, then baluarte, then the other areas that are still open by night. Take a kalesa tour, so the driver can recommend which places to go to first